The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul spoke to the people in the synagogue in Antioch and said, “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain”, and in chapter thirteen and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared to how Paul referred to when Jesus was taken, “down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher” where we read:
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him,
they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher.
The verse begins, “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when they had fulfilled” which means “and at the time and moment the people and rulers in Jerusalem completed and made full” “all that was written of him” or “each, every, the whole and everything that was delineated or formed in letters about Jesus”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred to the time the people and rulers of Jerusalem completed all that was “prophesied” concerning Jesus dying on the cross.
The verse continues, “... they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher.” Luke added the words, “they took him down” which means “people, (Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus – See John 19:38), took Jesus' body down” “from the tree” or “from the cross”, “and laid him in a sepulcher” which means “and laid his body in a tomb or grave”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred to the way people took Jesus' body down from the cross and laid it in a tomb.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” continued to recount the story of Jesus' death and His subsequent removal from the cross. Jesus came to the world to die for the sins of mankind, and because He died upon the cross, every person now has an opportunity to receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. When they submit to Jesus, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Those who are wise will carefully study this recounting of “Paul” and understand how God allowed all these things so people could live with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “God raised him from the dead”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment